Sauna Sessions: How Often is Enough?
Saunas offer a wealth of health benefits, from improved cardiovascular health to stress relief. But how often should you hit the sauna to reap these rewards?
The sweet spot:
While individual needs vary, most experts recommend 2-3 sauna sessions per week. This frequency provides consistent benefits without overwhelming your system.
Dr. Andrew Huberman, everyone’s favourite scientist, discussed the magic number of 57 minutes per week as being the optimum time to have deliberate heat exposure in a sauna. He says this can be broken up into any number of sessions over a week, but that is the optimum amount of time to reap the benefits.
Our usual sessions are 55 minutes long in total, so if you are in and out in a hot/cold/relax/repeat cycle over that time, you won’t be too far off in just one session.
Listen to your body:
This is the most important thing with sauna. Your body is your best guide. You will know what makes you feel amazing, so do that.
Session length:
Generally, each sauna cycle should last somewhere between 5-10 minutes. There are so many reasons why you might sit at one end of this spectrum or the other, and that is absolutely fine. Your first cycle should be your shortest whilst you let your body adjust and see how you’re feeling. Beginners might want to start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration. Listen to your body, keep a check on your heart rate, and do what works for you. Sauna isn’t a competition of who can stay in the longest or have it the hottest.
Cooling down:
After each sauna cycle, it's important to cool down and bring your heart rate down. This can involve using our watering cans to pour fresh, cold water over yourself (or a friend), or simply sitting outside in the fresh air to cool naturally. You could also use our cold plunge tanks, but make sure to have a breather between the sauna and plunge so as not to shock your body.
Hydration:
Super, super important! Saunas can lead to dehydration, so it's crucial to arrive for a sauna hydrated, and keep sipping water throughout to remain hydrated. We’re big fans of adding a tiny pinch of celtic grey sea salt to water to help with mineral and salt replenishment. Top tip: don’t take a Chilly’s bottle into the sauna with you, it’s surprising how quick it’ll burn your lips - yep, we made that rookie mistake so you don’t have to - you’re welcome!
Combining with other activities:
Saunas can be a great complement to other wellness activities, particularly for recovery after strenuous exercise, or for peaceful reflection at the end of a yoga session or event. And with us being mobile, we could join you for all of these things! Let’s see how we can incorporate sauna into your exercise routine or relaxation rituals!
Remember:
Consistency is key when it comes to reaping the benefits of sauna use. By following these guidelines and listening to your body, you can enjoy a regular sauna routine that promotes optimal health and well-being.
All that’s left now is to book your hot seat!